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A high-level consultative stakeholder forum will oversee the new workplace safety protocols, senior Government official Liz Canavan has said.<\/p>\nA high-level consultative stakeholder forum will oversee the new workplace safety protocols, senior Government official Liz Canavan has said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the Government published its Return to Work safety protocol which details the steps and processes businesses must take once the lockdown lifts.<\/p>\n
The protocol is to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to comply fully with the public health protection measures outlined by the HSE.<\/p>\n
They include regulations for social distancing, hand hygiene, first aid and mental health support for returning workers.<\/p>\n
The forum will allow for ongoing engagement at national level on the implementation issues in light of the evolving public health advice and other factors<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to oversee this transition, a high-level consultative stakeholder forum, under the aegis of the Labor Employer Economic Forum, will be established,\u201d Ms Canavan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis forum will include membership from the various bodies that have responsibility for health and safety at work and for public health more generally.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe forum will allow for ongoing engagement at national level on the implementation issues in light of the evolving public health advice and other factors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, it has emerged the Government has paid out more than \u20ac878m under the temporary wage subsidy scheme.<\/p>\n
There are more than 53,200 employers registered with Revenue for the scheme while about 456,200 employees have received at least one payment.<\/p>\n
Ms Canavan said that, as of Monday, Revenue has generated further payments to employers on the scheme of \u20ac13m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese payments will be in the bank accounts of the majority of the respective employers tomorrow (Tuesday),\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cumulative value of payments made to employers under the scheme is now \u20ac878m.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection paid out \u20ac206m to 589,000 people for the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP).<\/p>\n
Around 8,700 people are receiving a payment for the first time, although this is a reduction of 9,000 on the number of people paid at the same point last week.<\/p>\n
Ms Canavan added: \u201cThis is the first time that the overall total has decreased since the scheme commenced in March.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe value of the weekly payment is in the region of \u20ac206m.<\/p>\n
\u201cApproximately 98,000 people have not contacted the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in order to close their claim.\u201d<\/p>\n